Ivor Crowther, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) North East, said: “The Great North Run is a spectacular event that draws the eyes of the world to the North East. This year will see the one millionth runner to cross the finish line and, as part of our support for this tremendous achievement, HLF is drawing attention to almost £90million worth of heritage projects that stretch along the route in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Newcastle.”

Great North Run Culture and Tyne & Wear Archive & Museum – HLF award of £400,000
HLF funding will support a year-long programme to celebrate the millionth finish of the Great North Run. The project will use the moment of the one millionth finish of the Great North Run as a springboard to explore and celebrate the North East's sporting and industrial heritage, and the big ideas and ‘world firsts’ that have happened in the region over the last 200 years. People come from all over the world both to compete and to show their support so what a great opportunity to get those thousands of people engaged with the North East’s incredible cultural offering

Here are just a few of projects featured along route:

Exhibition Park – HLF award of £2.4m
A popular green space in the heart of Newcastle, Exhibition Park has hosted many events during its 144 years. HLF’s investment has helped conserve the historic Grade II-listed bandstand, the boathouse and the croquet pavilion. New wildlife areas surrounding the lake were created, including reed beds and wetland fens, and a host of community activities were also rolled out.

Great North Museum – HLF Award of £8.75m
The former Hancock Museum has now been reborn thanks to HLF and now features an exciting range of exhibits and visitor attractions. There is the planetarium, a unique bio-wall displaying the diversity of life on Earth, a life-size replica T Rex skeleton, mummies from Ancient Egypt, a large scale model of Hadrian’s Wall and a display of many of its treasures, not to mention a superb collection of ancient Greek art and archaeology.

The Family La Bonche – Who are we? – HLF Award of £37,600
A group of young people worked with the North East Circus Development Trust to discover the region’s circus identity. Styling themselves the Family La Bonche the young enthusiasts (aged 11 to 25) researched local archives, visited circus venues, interviewed older circus performers and created a book and an exhibition that was enlivened by the participants creating their own performance.

The Amber Collection: Access and Engagement - £1,121,200 grant
The world-renowned documentary film and photographic archive tells the stories of working class and marginalised North East communities – from the impact of the decline of industry along the Tyne to the life of Durham mining families. As well as transforming the Grade II-listed Amber Buildings which house the archive, the project will see the collection catalogued, digitised and conserved to form a rich and accessible narrative of the region.

Old Newcastle, Blackgate – HLF award of £1.4m
A new heritage hub is being created in the heart of the city thanks to the revitalisation of the 13th-century Black Gate, a Grade I-listed Scheduled Ancient Monument. The vacant building will become a fully accessible heritage, education and community resource reconnecting with its medieval neighbours, the Castle Keep and Cathedral Church of St Nicholas. Newcastle’s story will be told using innovative digital displays and learning activities.

Wor Women on the Home Front – HLF award of £9,900
The untold stories of how the First World War impacted on women and families in the North East will be gathered from older people within the local community whose parents and other family members lived through and served during the conflict. Volunteers from Tyneside Women’s Health will scour local archives with the help of heritage experts and build up a valuable record of life on the Home Front.

Gateshead Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) – HLF award of £1.9m
One of the first shopping streets in Gateshead, Coatsworth Road is set to regain much of its former glory with repairs to historic shop fronts and expert advice to help local independent retailers boost their trade. Spearheaded by Gateshead Council, the revival of the Victorian shopping street will witness buildings restored and empty properties brought back into use as well as training and specialist advice provided with the aim of attracting new customers.

Bede’s World: Animating the Visitor Experience - £311,700 grant
Bede’s World in Jarrow tells the story of early Anglo-Saxon life through the eyes of Bede, a scholar who lived there when the site was St Paul’s monastery. Its permanent exhibition and demonstration farm was enhanced with new technology, props and improved interpretation. Costumed guides, a grandstand stage and traditional skills workshops – including ancient craft tool making and calligraphy – now provide an interactive insight into Anglo Saxon life.

Durham Light Infantry Association Victoria Cross Project - £43,900
In 2007 the Durham Light Infantry Association, South Shields branch, set out to collect and bring the stories of the regiment, past and present, together into an online resource. The Durham Light Infantry(DLI) website is now established and contains photos, events, links to other regiments and the DLI Trail – an interactive resource which provides an insight into the regiment’s connection to the North East and where to visit to find out more.

South Marine Park – HLF award of £3.8m
Tynesiders can once more sample the Victorian splendour of their beloved South Marine Park as they promenade along the impressive upper terrace and take in views across to the mouth of the Tyne. The restoration of the park, originally opened in 1886, included the planting of more than 400 trees and 24,000 shrubs, new lighting, seating and pathway and the reinstatement of a waterfall.